Trp8, Trp9 and Trp10, novel markers for cancer

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to gene expression in normal cells and cells of malignant tumors and particularly to novel markers associated with cancer, Trp8, Trp9 and Trp10, and the genes encoding Trp8, Trp9 and Trp10. Also provided are vectors, host cells, antibodies, and recombinant methods for producing these human proteins. The invention further relates to diagnostic and therapeutic methods useful for diagnosing and treating a tumor.

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/221,513 filed on Jul. 28, 2000.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gene expression in normal cells and cells of malignant tumors and particularly to novel markers associated with cancer, Trp8, Trp9 and Trp10, and the genes encoding Trp8, Trp9 and Trp10

BACKGROUND OF THE TECHNOLOGY

Prostate cancer is one of the most common diseases of older men world wide. Diagnosis and monitoring of prostate cancer is difficult because of the heterogeneity of the disease. For diagnosis different grades of malignancy can be distinguished according to the Gleason-Score Diagnosis. For this diagnosis a prostate tissue sample is taken from the patient by biopsy and the morphology of the tissue is investigated. However, this approach only yields subjective results depending on the experience of the pathologist. For confirmation of these results and for obtaining an early diagnosis an additional diagnostic method can be applied which is based on the detection of a prostate specific antigen (PSA). PSA is assayed in serum samples, blood samples etc. using an anti-PSA-antibody. However, since in principle PSA is also expressed in normal prostate tissue there is a requirement for the definition of a threshold value (about 4 ng/ml PSA) in order to be able to distinguish between normal and malign prostate tissue. Unfortunately, this diagnostic method is quite insensitive and often yields false-positive results. Moreover, by using this diagnostic method any conclusions as regards the grade of malignancy, the progression of the tumor and its potential for metastasizing cannot be drawn. Thus, the use of molecular markers would be helpful to distinguish benign from malign tissue and for grading and staging prostate carcinoma, particularly for patients with metastasizing prostate cancer having a very bad prognosis.

The above discussed limitations and failings of the prior art to provide meaningful specific markers which correlate with the presence of prostate tumors, in particular metastasizing tumors, has created a need for markers which can be used diagnostically, prognostically and therapeutically over the course of this disease. The present invention fulfils such a need by the provision of Tpr8, Trp9 and Trp10 and the genes encoding Trp8, Trp9 and Trp10: The genes encoding Trp8 and Trp10 are expressed in prostate carcinoma and prostatic metastasis, but not in normal prostate, benign hyperplasia (BPH) and intraepithelial prostatic neoplasia (PIN). Furthermore, expression of Trp10 transcripts is detectable in carcinoma but not in healthy tissue of the lung, the prostate, the placenta and in melanoma.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on the isolation of genes encoding novel markers associated witha cancer, Trp8, Trp9 and Trp10. The new calcium channel proteins Trp8, Trp9 and Trp10 are members of the trp (transient receptor potential)—family, isolated from human placenta (Trp8a and Trp8b) and humane prostate (Trp9, Trp10a and Trp10b). Trp proteins belong to a steadily growing family of Ca²⁺ selective and non selective ion channels. In the recent years seven Trp proteins (trp1–trp7) have been identified and suggested to be involved in cation entry, receptor operated calcium entry and pheromone sensory signaling. Structurally related to the trp proteins are the vanilloid receptor (VR1) and the vanilloid like receptor (VRL-1) both involved in nociception triggered by heat. Furthermore, two calcium permeable channels were identified in rat small intestine (CaT1) and rabbit kidney (ECaC). These distantly related channels are suggested to be involved in the uptake of calcium ions from the lumen of the small intestine (CaT1) or in the reuptake of calcium ions in the distal tubule of the kidney (ECaC). Common features or the Trp and related channels are a proposed structure comprising six transmembrane domains including several conserved amino acid motifs. In the present invention the cloning and expression of a CaT1 like calcium channel (Trp8) from human placenta as well as Trp9 and Trp10 (two variants, Trp10a and Trp10b) is described. Two polymorphic variants of the Trp8 cDNA were isolated from placenta (Trp8a and Trp8b). Transient expression of the Trp8b cDNA in HEK (human embryonic kidney) cells results in cytosolic calcium overload implicating that the Trp8 channel is constitutive open in the expression system. Trp8 induces highly calcium selective inward currents in HEK cells. The C-terminus of the Trp8 protein binds calmodulin in a calcium dependent manner. The Trp9 channel is expressed in trophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts of placenta and in pancreatic acinar cells. Furthermore, the Trp8 channel is expressed in prostatic carcinoma and prostatic metastases, but not in normal tissue of the prostate. No expression of Trp8 transcripts is detectable in benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN). Therefore, the Trp8 channel is exclusively expressed in malign prostatic tissues and serves as molecular marker for prostate cancer. From the experimental results it is also apparent that the modulation of Trp8 and/or Trp10, e.g. the inhibition of expression or activity, is of therapeutic interest, e.g. for the prevention of tumor progression.

The present invention, thus, provides a Trp8, Trp9 and Trp10 protein, respectively, as well as nucleic acid molecule encoding the protein and, moreover, an antisense RNA, a ribozyme and an inhibitor, which allow to inhibit the expression or the activity of Trp8, Trp9 and/or Trp10.

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a diagnostic method for detecting a prostate cancer or endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterus) associated with Trp8 or Trp10 in a tissue of a subject, comprising contacting a sample containing Trp8 and/or Trp10 encoding mRNA with a reagent which detects Trp8 and/or Trp10 or the corresponding mRNA.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides a diagnostic method for detecting a melanoma, chorion carcinoma, cancer of the lung and of the prostate in a tissue of a subject, comprising contacting a sample with a reagent which detects Trp10a and/or Trp10b antisense transcripts or Trp10a and/or Trp10b related antisense transcripts.

In another embodiment, the present invention provides a method of treating a prostate tumor, carcinoma of the lung, carcinoma of the placenta (chorion carcinoma) or melanoma associated with Trp8 and/or Trp10, comprising administering to a subject with such an disorder a therapeutically effect amount of a reagent which modulates, e.g. inhibits, expression of Trp8 and/or Trp10 or the activity of the protein, e.g. the above described compounds.

Finally, the present invention provides a method of gene therapy comprising introducing into cells of a subject an expression vector comprising a nucleotide sequence encoding the above mentioned antisense RNA or ribozyme, in operable linkage with a promoter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1: A, phylogenetic relationship of trp and related proteins. B, hydropathy plot of the Trp8 protein sequence according to Kyte and Doolittle. C, alignment of Trp8a/b to the epithelial calcium channels ECaC (from rabbit) and Vr1 (from rat). Putative transmembrane domains are underlined.

FIG. 2: A, polymorphism of the Trp8 gene. The polymorphic variants Trp8a and Trp8b differ in five base pairs resulting in three amino acid exchanges in the derived protein sequences. Specific primers were derived from the Trp8 gene as indicated by arrows. B, the Trp8a and Trp8b genes are distinguishable by a single restriction site. Genomic fragments of the Trp8 gene can be amplified using specific primers (shown in A). The genomic fragment of the Trp8b gene contains an additional site of the restriction enzyme BSP1286I (B). C, the Trp8 gene is located on chromosome 7. D, genotyping of eleven human subjects. A 458 bp genomic fragment of the Trp8 gene was amplified using specific primers (shown in A) and restricted with BSP1286I. The resulting fragments were analyzed by PAGE electrophoresis.

FIG. 3: The Trp8b protein is a calcium selective ion channel. A, representative trace of a pdiTrp8b transfected HEK 293 cell. Trp8b mediated currents are activated by voltage ramps (−100 mV–+100 mV) of 100 msec at −40 mV or +70 mV holding potential. 1, Trp8b currents in the presence at 2 mm [Ca²⁺]_(o); 2, effect of solution switch alone 3, switch to nominal zero calcium solution. B, Trp8b currents in the presence of zero divalent cations. C, current voltage relationship of the currents shown in A. Inset, leak subtracted current. D, current voltage relationship of the current shown in B. E, statistics of representative experiments. Black: Trp8 transfected cells, gray: control cells. Columns from left to right: Trp8 currents at −40 mV (n=12) and +70 mV holding potential (n=12). Trp8 currents in standard bath solution including 120 mM NMDG without sodium (n=7) and with nominal zero calcium ions (n=8) or in the presence of 1 mM EGTA with zero divalent cations (n=6). F, representative changes in [Ca²⁺]_(i) in Trp8b transfected HEK cells (gray) and controls (black) in the presence or absence of 1 mM [Ca²⁺]_(o). Inset, relative increase of cytosolic calcium concentration of Trp8b transfected HEK cells, before and after readdition of 1 mM [Ca²⁺]_(o) in comparison to control cells.

FIG. 4: The C-terminal region of the Trp8 protein binds calmodulin. A, N- and C-terminal fragments of the Trp8 protein used for calmodulin binding studies. B, the Trp8 protein and a truncated Trp8 protein which was in vitro translated after MunI cut of the cDNA, which lacks the C-terminal 32 amino acid residues, were in vitro translated in the presence of ³⁵S-methionine and incubated with calmodulin coupled agarose beads in the presence of 1 mM Ca²⁺ or 2 mM EGTA. C, calmodulin binding to N- and C-terminal fragments of the Trp8 protein in the presence of Ca²⁺ (1 mM) or EGTA (2 mM)

FIG. 5: Expression pattern of the Trp8 cDNA. A, Northern blots (left panels, Clontech, Palo Alto) were hybridized using a 348 bp NcoI/BamHT fragment of the Trp9 cDNA. The probe hybridizes to mRNA species isolated from the commercial blot, but not to mRNA species isolated from benign prostate hyperplasia (right panel, mRNA isolated from 20 human subjects with benign prostate hyperplasia). B,C, in situ hybridization with biotinylated Trp8 specific oligonucleotides on slides of human tissues. Left column antisense probes, right column sense probes. D, antinsense probes.

FIG. 6: Differential expression of Trp8 cDNA in human prostate. A–F, in situ hybridization with prostatic tissues. A, normal prostate, B, primary carcinoma, C, benign hyperplasia, D, rezidive carcinoma, E, prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia, F, lymphnode metastasis of the prostata.

FIG. 7: Trp8a cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:5) and derived amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:6)

FIG. 8: A, Trp8b cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:45) and derived amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:46)

-   B, cDNA sequence of splice variant 1 (12B1) (SEQ ID NO:13) -   C, cDNA sequence of splice variant 2 (17-3) (SEQ ID NO:14) -   D, cDNA sequence of splice variant 3 (23A3) (SEQ ID NO:15) -   E, cDNA sequence of splice variant 4 (23C3) (SEQ ID NO:16)

FIG. 9: A, Trp9 cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:9) and derived amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:10) B, cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:7) of splice variant 15 and derived amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:8)

FIG. 10: A, cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:11) of Tip10a and derived amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:12) B, cDNA fragment (SEQ ID NO:1) of Trp10a and derived amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:2)

FIG. 11: cDNA sequence (SEQ ID NO:3) of Trp10b and derived amino acid sequence (SEQ ID NO:4)

FIG. 12: Expression of Trp8 mRNA in human endometrial cancer or cancer of the uterus. A–D, in situ hybridization with slides of endometrial cancer hybridized with Trp8 antisense (left column) or sense probes as controls (right column). E–F, Trp8 antisense probes hybridized to slides of normal endometrium. It can be clearly seen no hybridization occurs with normal endometrial tissue.

FIG. 13: Expression of human Trp9 and Trp10 genes Northern blots were hybridized using Trp9 (upper panel) or Trp10 (lower panel) specific probes. Expression of the Trp9 cDNA is detectable in many tissues including human prostate and colon as well as in benign prostatic hyperplasia. Expression of Trp10 cDNA is detectable in human prostate of a commercial northern blot (Clontech, right side). This Northern blot contains prostatic tissue collected from 15 human subjects in the range of 14–60 years of age. No expression of Trp10 cDNA was detectable in benign prostatic hyperplasia (left side).

FIG. 14: Expression of Trp10 transcripts and Trp10-antisense transcripts in human prostate cancer and metastasis of a melanoma. In situ hybridizations of slides hybridized with Trp10-antisense (A–E, K–N) and Trp10 related sense probes (F–J, P–R). It can clearly be seen that both probes detect the same cancer cells indicating that these cancer cells express Trp10 transcripts as well as Trp10-antisense transcripts. S, no Trp10 expression is detectable in benign hyperplasia of the prostate (BPH). O and T, show expression of Trp10 transcripts (O) and Trp10-antisense transcripts (T) in a metastasis of a melanoma in human lung. Melanoma cancer cells express both Trp10 transcripts and Trp10-antisense transcripts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the human prostate carcinoma associated protein Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp9, Trp10a or Trp10b or a protein exhibiting biological properties of Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp9, Trp10a or Trp10b and being selected from the group consisting of

-   (a) a nucleic acid molecule encoding a protein that comprises the     amino acid sequence depicted in FIGS. 7, 8A, 9, 10 or 11; -   (b) a nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence     depicted in FIGS. 7, 8A, 9, 10, or 11; -   (c) a nucleic acid molecule included in DSMZ Deposit no. DSM 13579     (deposit date: 28 Jun. 2000), DSM 13580 (deposit date: 28 Jun.     2000), DSM 13584 (deposit date: 5 Jul. 2000), DSM 13581 (deposit     date: 28 Jun. 2000) or DSM . . . (deposit date: . . . ); -   (d) a nucleic acid molecule with hybridizes to a nucleic acid     molecule specified in (a) to (c) -   (e) a nucleic acid molecule the nucleic acid sequence of which     deviates from the nucleic sequences specified in (a) to (d) due to     the degeneration of the genetic code; and -   (f) a nucleic acid molecule, which represents a fragment, derivative     or allelic variation of a nucleic acid sequence specified in (a) to     (e).

As used herein, a protein exhibiting biological properties of Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp9, Trp10a or Trp10b is understood to be a protein having at least one of the activities as illustrated in the Examples, below.

As used herein, the term “isolated nucleic acid molecule” includes nucleic acid molecules substantially free of other nucleic acids, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates or other materials with which it is naturally associated.

In a first embodiment, the invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding the human prostate carcinoma associated protein Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp9, Trp10a or Trp10b comprising the amino acid sequence depicted in FIGS. 7, 8A, 9, 10 or 11. The present invention also provides a nucleic acid molecule comprising the nucleotide sequence depicted in FIGS. 7, 8A, 9, 10 or 11.

The present invention provides not only the generated nucleotide sequence identified in FIGS. 7, 8A, 9, 10 or 11, respectively and the predicted translated amino acid sequence, respectively, but also plasmid DNA containing a Trp8a cDNA deposited with the DSMZ, under DSM 13579, a Trp8b cDNA deposited with the DSMZ, under DSM 13580, a Trp9 cDNA deposited with the DSMZ, under DSM 13584, a Trp10a cDNA deposited with the DSMZ, under DSM 13581, and a Trp10b cDNA deposited with the DSMZ, under DSM . . . , respectively. The nucleotide sequence of each deposited Trp-clone can readily be determined by sequencing the deposited clone in accordance with known methods. The predicted amino acid sequence can then be verified from such deposits. Moreover, the amino acid sequence of the protein encoded by each deposited clone can also be directly determined by peptide sequencing or by expressing the protein in a suitable host cell containing the deposited Trp-encoding DNA, collecting the protein, and determining its sequence.

The nucleic acid molecules of the invention can be both DNA and RNA molecules. Suitable DNA molecules are, for example, genomic or cDNA molecules. It is understood that all nucleic acid molecules encoding all or a portion of Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp9, Trp10a or Trp10b are also included, as long as they encode a polypeptide with biological activity. The nucleic acid molecules of the invention an be isolated from natural sources or can be synthesized according to know methods.

The present invention also provides nucleic acid molecules which hybridize to the above nucleic acid molecules. As used herein, the term “hybridize” has the meaning of hybridization under conventional hybridization conditions, preferably under stringent conditions as described, for example, in Sambrook et al., Molecular Cloning, A Laboratory Manual 2^(nd) edition (1989) Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, Cold Spring Harbor, N.Y. Also contemplated are nucleic acid molecules that hybridize to the Trp nucleic acid molecules at lower stringency hybridization conditions. Changes in the stringency of hybridization and signal detection are primarily accomplished through the manipulation of formamide concentration (lower percentages of formamide result in lowered stringency), salt conditions, or temperature. For example, lower stringency conditions include an overnight incubation at 37° C. in a solution comprising 6×SSPE (20×SSPE=3M NaCl; 9.2M NaH₂PO₄; 0.02M EDTA, pH7.4), 0.5% SDS, 30% formamide, 100 μg/ml salmon sperm blocking DNA, following by washes at 50° C. with 1×SSPE, 0.1% SDS. In addition, to achieve even lower stringency, washes performed following stringent hybridization can be done at higher salt concentrations (e.g. 5×SSC). Variations in the above conditions may be accomplished through the inclusion and/or substitution of alternate blocking reagents used to suppress background in hybridization experiments. The inclusion of specific blocking reagents may require modification of the hybridization conditions described above, due to problems with compatibility.

Nucleic acid molecules that hybridize to the molecules of the invention can be isolated, e.g., from genomic or cDNA libraries that were produced from human cell lines or tissues. In order to identify and isolate such nucleic acid molecules the molecules of the invention or parts of these molecules or the reverse complements of these molecules can be used, for example by means of hybridization according to conventional methods (see, e.g., Sambrook et al., supra). As a hybridization probe nucleic acid molecules can be used, for example, that have exactly or basically the nucleotide sequence depicted in FIGS. 7, 8A, 9, 10 or 11, respectively, or parts of these sequences. The fragments used as hybridization probe can be synthetic fragments that were produced by means of conventional synthetic methods and the sequence of which basically corresponds to the sequence of a nucleic acid molecule of the invention.

The nucleic acid molecules of the present invention also include molecules with sequences that are degenerate as a result of the genetic code.

In a further embodiment, the present invention provides nucleic acid molecules which comprise fragments, derivatives and allelic variants of the nucleic acid molecules described above encoding a protein of the invention. “Fragments” are understood to be parts of the nucleic acid molecules that are long enough to encode one of the described proteins. These fragments comprise nucleic acid molecules specifically hybridizing to transcripts of the nucleic acid molecules of the invention. These nucleic acid molecules can be used, for example, as probes or primers in the diagnostic assay and/or kit described below and, preferably, are oligonucleotides having a length of at least 10, in particular of at least 15 and particularly preferred of at least 50 nucleotides. The nucleic acid molecules and. oligonucleotides of the invention can also be used, for example, as primers for a PCR reaction. Examples of particular useful probes (primers) are shown in Tables 1 and 2.

TABLE 1 Trp8 probes used for in situ hybridization: Probes (antisense) 1.) 5′ TCCGCTGCCGGTTGAGATCTTGCC 3′ 2.) 5′ CTTGCTCCATAGGCAGAGAATTAG 3′ 3.) 5′ ATCCTCAGAGCCCCGGGTGTGGAA3′ Controls (sense) 1.) 5′ GGCAAGATCTCAACCGGCAGCGGA 3′ 2.) 5′ CTAATTCTCTGCCTATGGAGCAAG 3′ 3.) 5′ TTCCACACCCGGGGCTCTGAGGAT 3′

TABELLE 2 Trp 10 probes used for the in situ hybridations shown in FIG. 14: Probes (antisense) 1.) 5′ GCTTCCACCCCAAGCTTCACAGGAATAGA 3′ (FIG. 14A, 14B) 2.) 5′ GGCGATGAAATGCTGGTCTGTGGC 3′ (FIG. 14C, 14D, 14N, 14S, 14O) 3.) 5′ ATCTTCCAGTTCTTGGTGTCTCGG 3′ (FIG. 14E, 14K) 4.) 5′ GCTGCAGTACTCCTGCACCAGGAA 3′ (FIG. 14L, 14M) Probes (sense) 1.) 5′ TCTATTCCTGTGAAGCTTGGGGTGGAAGC 3′ (FIG. 14F, 14G) 2.) 5′ GCCACAGACCAGCATTTCATCGCC 3′ (FIG. 14H, 14I, 14T) 3.) 5′ CCGAGACACCAAGAACTGGAAGAT 3′ (FIG. 14J, 14P) 4.) 5′ TTCCTGGTGCAGGAGTACTGCAGC 3′ (FIG. 14Q, 14R)

The term “derivative” in this context means that the sequences of these molecules differ from the sequences of the nucleic acid molecules described above at one or several positions but have a high level of homology to these sequences. Homology hereby means a sequence identity of at least 40%, in particular an identity of at least 60%, preferably of more than 80% and particularly preferred of more than 90%. These proteins encoded by the nucleic acid molecules have a sequence identity to the amino acid sequence depicted in FIGS. 7, 8A, 9, 10 and 11, respectively, of at least 80%, preferably of 85% and particularly preferred of more than 90%, 97% and 99%. The deviations to the above-described nucleic acid molecules may have been produced by deletion, substitution, insertion or recombination. The definition of the derivatives also includes splice variants, e.g. the splice variants shown in FIGS. 8B to 8E and 9B.

The nucleic acid molecules that are homologous to the above-described molecules and that represent derivatives of these molecules usually are variations of these molecules that represent modifications having the same biological function. They can be naturally occurring variations, for example sequences from other organisms, or mutations that can either occur naturally or that have been introduced by specific mutagenesis. Furthermore the variations can be synthetically produced sequences. The allelic variants can be either naturally occurring variants or synthetically produced variants or variants produced by recombinant DNA processes.

Generally, by means of conventional molecular biological processes it is possible (see, e.g., Sambrook et al., supra) to introduce different mutations into the nucleic acid molecules of the invention. As a result Trp proteins or Trp related proteins with possibly modified biological properties are synthesized. One possibility is the production of deletion mutants in which nucleic acid molecules are produced by continuous deletions from the 5′- or 3′-terminal of the coding DNA sequence and that lead to the synthesis of proteins that are shortened accordingly. Another possibility is the introduction of single-point mutation at positions where a modification of the amino aid sequence influences, e.g., the ion channel properties or the regulations of the trp-ion channel. By this method muteins can be produced, for example, that possess a modified ion conducting pore, a modified K_(m)-value or that are no longer subject to the regulation mechanisms that normally exist in the cell, e.g. with regard to allosteric regulation or covalent modification. Such muteins might also be valuable as therapeutically useful antagonists of Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp9, Trp10a or Trp10b, respectively.

For the manipulation in prokaryotic cells by means of genetic engineering the nucleic acid molecules of the invention or parts of these molecules can be introduced into plasmids allowing a mutagenesis or a modification of a sequence by recombination of DNA sequences. By means of conventional methods (cf Sambrook et al., supra) bases can be exchanged and natural or synthetic sequences can be added. In order to link the DNA fragments with each other adapters or linkers can be added to the fragments. Furthermore, manipulations can be performed that provide suitable cleavage sites or that remove superfluous DNA or cleavage sites. If insertions, deletions or substitutions are possible, in vitro mutagenesis, primer repair, restriction or ligation can be performed. As analysis method usually sequence analysis, restriction analysis and other biochemical or molecular biological methods are used.

The proteins encoded by the various variants of the nucleic acid molecules of the invention show certain common characteristics, such as ion channel activity, molecular weight, immunological reactivity or conformation or physical properties like the electrophoretical mobilty, chromatographic behavior, sedimentation coefficients, solubility, spectroscopic properties, stability; pH optimum, temperature optimum.

The invention furthermore relates to vectors containing the nucleic acid molecules of the invention. Preferably, they are plasmids, cosmids, viruses, bacteriophages and other vectors usually used in the field of genetic engineering. Vectors suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to the T7-based expression vector for expression in mammalian cells and baculovirus-derived vectors for expression in insect cells. Preferably, the nucleic acid molecule of the invention is operatively linked to the regulatory elements in the recombinant vector of the invention that guarantee the transcription and synthesis of an RNA in prokryotic and/or eukaryotic cells that can be translated. The nucleotide sequence to be transcribed can be operably linked to a promoter like a T7, metallothionein I or polyhedrin promoter.

In a further embodiment, the present invention relates to recombinant host cells transiently or stable containing the nucleic acid molecules or vectors or the invention. A host cell is understood to be an organism that is capable to take up in vitro recombinant DNA and, if the case may be, to synthesize the proteins encoded by the nucleic acid molecules of the invention. Preferably, these cells are prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells, for example mammalian cells, bacterial cells, insect cells or yeast cells. The host cells of the invention are preferably characterized by the fact that the introduced nucleic acid molecule of the invention either is heterologous with regard to the transformed cell, i.e. that it does not naturally occur in these cells, or is localized at a place in the genome different from that of the corresponding naturally occurring sequence.

A further embodiment of the invention relates to isolated proteins exhibiting biological properties of the human prostate carcinoma associated protein Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp9, Trp10a or Trp10b and being encoded by the nucleic acid molecules of the invention, as well as to methods for their production, whereby, e.g., a host cell of the invention is cultivated under conditions allowing the synthesis of the protein and the protein is subsequently isolated from the cultivated cells and/or the culture medium. Isolation and purification of the recombinantly produced proteins may be carried out by conventional means including preparative chromatography and affinity and immunological separations involving affinity with an anti-Trp8a-, anti-Trp8b-, anti-Trp9-, anti-Trp10a- or anti-Trp10b-antibody, respectively.

As used herein, the term “isolated protein” includes proteins substantially free of other proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates or other materials with which it is naturally associated. Such proteins however not only comprise recombinantly produced proteins but include isolated naturally occurring proteins, synthetically produced proteins, or proteins produced by a combination of these methods. Means for preparing such proteins are well understood in the art. The Trp proteins are preferably in a substantially purified form. A recombinantly produced version of a human prostate carcinoma associated protein Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp9, Trp10a or Trp10b protein, including the secreted protein, can be substantially purified by the one-step method described in Smith and Johnson, Gene 67; 31–40 (1988).

In a further preferred embodiment, the present invention relates to an antisense RNA sequence characterised that it is complementary to an mRNA transcribed from a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention or a part thereof and can selectively bind to said mRNA, said sequence being capable of inhibiting the synthesis of the protein encoded by said nucleic acid molecules, and a ribozyme characterised in that it is complementary to an mRNA transcribed from a nucleic acid molecule of the present invention or a part thereof and can selectively bind to and cleave said mRNA, thus inhibiting the synthesis of the proteins encoded by said nucleic acid molecules. Riboyzmes which are composed of a single RNA chain are RNA enzymes, i.e. catalytic RNAs, which can intermolecularly cleave a target RNA, for example the mRNA transcribed from one of the Trp genes. It is now possible to construct ribozymes which are able to cleave the target RNA at a specific site by following the strategies described in the literature. (see, e.g., Tanner et al., in: Antisense Research and Applications, CRC Press Inc. (1993), 415–426). The two main requirements for such ribozymes are the catalytic domain and regions which are complementary to the target RNA and which allow them to bind to its substrate, which is a prerequisite for cleavage. Said complementary sequences, i.e., the antisense RNA or ribozyme, are useful for repression of Trp8a-, Trp8b, Trp9-, Trp10a- and Trp10b-expression, respectively, i.e. in the case of the treatment of a prostate cancer or endometrial cancer (carcinoma of the uterus). Preferably, the antisense RNA and ribozyme of the invention are complementary to the coding region. The person skilled in the art provided with the sequences of the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention will be in a position to produce and utilise the above described antisense RNAs or ribozymes. The region of the antisense RNA and ribozyme, respectively, which shows complementarity to the mRNA transcribed from the nucleic acid molecules of the present invention preferably has a length of at least 10, in particular of at least 15 and particularly preferred of at least 50 nucleotides.

In still a further embodiment, the present invention relates to inhibitors of Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp9, Trp10a and Trp10b, respectively, which fulfill a similar purpose as the antisense RNAs or ribozymes mentioned above, i.e. reduction or elimination of biologically active Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp9, Trp10a or Trp10b molecules. Such inhibitors can be, for instance, structural analogues of the corresponding protein that act as antagonists. In addition, such inhibitors comprise molecules identified by the use of the recombinantly produced proteins, e.g. the recombinantly produces protein can be used to screen for and identify inhibitors, for example, by exploiting the capability of potential inhibitors to bind to the protein under appropriate conditions. The inhibitors can, for example, be identified by preparing a test mixture wherein the inhibitor candidate is incubated with Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp9, Trp10a or Trp10b, respectively, under appropriate conditions that allow Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp9, Trp10a or Trp10b to be in a native conformation. Such an in vitro test system can be established according to methods well known in the art. Inhibitors can be identified, for example, by first screening for either synthetic or naturally occurring molecules that bind to the recombinantly produced Trp protein and then, in a second step, by testing those selected molecules in cellular assays for inhibition of the Trp protein, as reflected by inhibition of at least one of the biological activities as described in the examples, below. Such screening for molecules that bind Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp9, Trp10a or Trp10b could easily performed on a large scale, e.g. by screening candidate molecules from libraries of synthetic and/or natural molecules. Such an inhibitor is, e.g., a synthetic organic chemical, a natural fermentation product, a substance extracted from a microorganism, plant or animal, or a peptide. Additional examples of inhibitors are specific antibodies, preferably monoclonal antibodies. Moreover, the nucleic sequences of the invention and the encoded proteins can be used to identify further factors involved in tumor development and progression. In this context it should be emphasized that the modulation of the calcium channel of a member of the trp family can result in the stimulation of the immune response of T lymphocytes leading to proliferation of the T lymphocytes. The proteins of the invention can, e.g., be used to identify further (unrelated) proteins which are associated with the tumor using screening methods based on protein/protein interactions, e.g. the two-hybrid-system Fields, S. and Song, O. (1989) Nature (340): 245–246.

The present invention also provides a method for diagnosing a prostate carcinoma which comprises contacting a target sample suspected to contain the protein Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and/or Trp10b or the Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and/or Trp10b encoding mRNA with a reagent which reacts with Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and/or Trp10b or the Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and/or Trp10b encoding mRNA and detecting Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and/or Trp10b or Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and/or Trp10b encoding mRNA.

It has been found that carcinoma cells of placenta (chorion carcinoma), lung and prostate express Trp10 transcripts as well as Trp10 antisense transcripts and transcripts being in part complementary to Trp10 antisense transcripts. Accordingly, the present invention also provides a method for diagnosing a melanoma, chorion carcinoma, cancer of the lung and of the prostate in a tissue of a subject, comprising contacting a sample with a reagent which detects Trp10a and/or Trp10b antisense RNA.

When the target is mRNA (or antisense RNA), the reagent is typically a nucleic acid probe or a primer for PCR. The person skilled in the art is in a position to design suitable nucleic acids probes based on the information as regards the nucleotide sequence of Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a or Trp10b as depicted in FIGS. 7, 8 a, 10 and 11, respectively, or tables 1 and 2, above. When the target is the protein, the reagent is typically an antibody probe. The term “antibody”, preferably, relates to antibodies which consist essentially of pooled monoclonal antibodies with different epitopic specifities, as well as distinct monoclonal antibody preparations. Monoclonal antibodies are made from an antigen containing fragments of the proteins of the invention by methods well known to those skilled in the art (see, e.g., Köhler et al., Nature 256 (1975), 495). As used herein, the term “antibody” (Ab) or “monoclonal antibody” (Mab) is meant to include intact molecules as well as antibody fragments (such as, for example, Fab and F(ab′) 2 fragments) which are capable of specifically binding to protein. Fab and f(ab′)2 fragments lack the Fc fragment of intact antibody, clear more rapidly from the circulation, and may have less non-specific tissue binding than an intact antibody. (Wahl et al., J. Nucl. Med. 24: 316–325 (1983)). Thus, these fragments are preferred, as well as the products of a FAB or other immunoglobulin expression library. Moreover, antibodies of the present invention include chimerical, single chain, and humanized antibodies. The target cellular component, i.e. Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and/or Trp10b or Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and/or Trp10b encoding mRNA or Trp10a/b antisense transcripts, e.g., in biological fluids or tissues, may be detected directly in situ, e.g. by in situ hybridization (e.g., according to the examples, below) or it may be isolated from other cell components by common methods known to those skilled in the art before contacting with a probe. Detection methods include Northern blot analysis, RNase protection, in situ methods, e.g. in situ hybridization, in vitro amplification methods (PCR, LCR, QRNA replicase or RNA-transcription/amplification (TAS, 3SR), reverse dot blot disclosed in EP-B1 O 237 362)), immunoassays, Western blot and other detection assays that are known to those skilled in the art.

Products obtained by in vitro amplification can be detected according to established methods, e.g. by separating the products on agarose gels and by subsequent staining with ethidium bromide. Alternatively, the amplified products can be detected by using labeled primers for amplification or labeled dNTPs.

The probes can be detectable labeled, for example, with a radioisotope, a bioluminescent, compound, a chemiluminescent compound, a fluorescent compound, a metal chelate, or an enzyme.

Expression of Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and Trp10b, respectively, in tissues can be studied with classical immunohistological methods (Jalkanen et al., J. Cell. Biol. 101 (1985), 976–985; Jalkanen et al., J. Cell. Biol. 105 (1987), 3087–3096; Sobol et al. Clin. Immunpathol. 24 (1982), 139–144; Sobol et al., Cancer 65 (1985), 2005–2010). Other antibody based methods useful for detecting protein gene expression include immunoassays, such as the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and the radioimmunoassay (RIA). Suitable antibody assay labels are known in the art and include enzyme labels, such as, glucose oxidase, and radioisotopes, such as iodine (¹²⁵I, ¹²¹I), carbon (¹⁴C), sulfur (³⁵S), tritium (³H), indium (¹¹²In), and technetium rhodamine, and biotin. In addition to assaying Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp 10a or Trp10b levels in a biological sample, the protein can also be detected in vivo by imaging. Antibody labels or markers for in vivo imaging of protein include those detectable by X-radiography, NMR or ESR. For X-radiography, suitable labels include radioisotopes such as barium or cesium, which emit detectable radiation but are not overtly harmful to the subject. Suitable markers for NMR and ESR include those with a detectable characteristic spin, such as deuterium, which may be incorporated into the antibody by labeling of nutrients for the relevant hybridoma. A protein-specific antibody or antibody fragment which has been labeled with an appropriate detectable imaging moiety, such as a radioisotope (for example, ¹³¹I, ¹¹²In, ⁹⁹mTc), a radio-opaque substance, or a material detectable by nuclear magnetic resonance, is introduced (for example, parenterally, subcutaneously, or intraperitoneally) into the mammal. It will be understood in the art that the size of the subject and the imaging system used will determine the quantity of imaging moiety needed to produce diagnostic images. In the case of a radioisotope moiety, for a human subject, the quantity of radioactivity injected will normally range from about 5 to 20 millicuries of ⁹⁹mTc. The labeled antibody or antibody fragment will then preferentially accumulate at he location of cells which contain the specific protein. In vivo tumor imaging is described in S. W. Burchiel et al., “Immunopharmacokinetics of Radiolabeled Antibodies and Their Fragments”. (Chapter 13 in Tumor Imaging: The Radiochemical Detection of Cancer, S. W. Burchiel and B. A. Rhodes, eds., Masson Publishing Inc. (1982)).

The marker Trp8a and Trp8b is also useful for prognosis, for monitoring the progression of the tumor and the diagnostic evaluation of the degree of malignancy of a prostate tumor (grading and staging), e.g. by using in situ hybridization: In a primary carcinoma Trp8 is expressed in about 2 to 10% of carcinoma cells, in a rezidive carcinoma in about 10 to 60% of cells and in metastases in about 60 to 90% of cells.

The present invention also relates to a method for diagnosing endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterus) which comprises contacting a target sample suspected to contain the protein Trp8a and/or Trp8b or the Trp8a and/or Trp8b encoding mRNA with a reagent which reacts with Trp8a and/or Trp8b or the encoding mRNA and detecting Trp8a and/or Trp8b encoding mRNA. As regards particular embodiments of this method reference is made to the particular embodiments of the method of diagnosing a prostate cancer outlined above.

For evaluating whether the concentration of Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a or Trp10b or the concentration of Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a or Trp10b encoding mRNA is normal or increased, thus indicative for the presence of a malignant tumor, the measured concentration is compared with the concentration in a normal tissue, preferably by using the ratio of Trp8a:Trp9, Trp8b:Trp9 or Trp10(a or b)/Trp9 for quantification.

Since the prostate carcinoma forms its own basement membrane when growing invasively, it can be concluded that only cells expressing Trp8 and Trp10 are involved in this phenomenon. Thus, it can be concluded that by inhibiting the expression and/or activity of these proteins an effective therapy of cancers like PCA is provided.

Thus, the present invention also relates to a pharmaceutical composition containing a reagent which decreases or inhibits Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and/or Trp10b expression or the activity of Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and/or Trp10b, and a method for preventing, treating, or ameliorating a prostate tumor, endometrial cancer (uterine carcinoma) tumor, a chorion carcinoma, cancer of the lung or melanoma, which comprises administering to a mammalian subject a therapeutically effective amount of a reagent which decreases or inhibits Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and/or Trp10b expression or the activity of Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and/or Trp10b. Examples of such reagents are the above described antisense RNAs, ribozymes or inhibitors, e.g. specific antibodies. Furthermore, peptides, which inhibit or modulate the biological function of Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp9, Trp10a and/or Trp10b may be useful as therapeutical reagents. For example, these peptides can be obtained by screening combina torial phage display libraries (Cosmix, Braunschweig, Germany) as described by Rottgen, P. and Collins, J. (Gene (1995) 164 (2): 243–250). Furthermore, antigenic epitopes of the Trp8 and Trp10 proteins can be identified by the expression of recombinant Trp8 and Trp10 epitope libraries in E. coli (Marquart, A. & Flockerzi, V., FEBS Lett. 407 (1997), 137–140; Trost, C., et al., FEBS Lett. 451 (1999) 257–263 and the consecutive screening of these libraries with serum of patients with cancer of the prostate or of the endometrium. Those Trp8 and Trp10 epitopes which are immunogenic and which lead to the formation of antibodies in the serum of the patients can be then be used as Trp8 or Trp10 derived peptide vaccines for immune inventions against cancer cells which express Trp8 or Trp10. Alternatively to the E. coli expression system, Trp8 or Trp10 or epitopes of Trp8 and Trp10 can be expressed in mammalian cell lines such as human embryonic kidney (Hek 293) cells (American Type Culture Collection, ATCC CRL 1573).

Finally, compounds useful for therapy of the above described diseases comprise compounds which act as antagonists or agonists on the ion channels Trp8, Trp9 and Trp10. It could be shown that Trp8 is a highly calcium selective ion channel which in the presence of monovalent (namely sodium) and divalent ions (namely calcium) is only permeable for calcium ions (see Example 4, below, and FIGS. 3A, C, E). Under physiological conditions, Trp8 is a calcium selective channel exhibiting large inward currents. This very large conductance of Trp8 channels (as wells as Trp9 and Trp10a/b channels) is useful to establish systems for screening pharmacological compounds interacting with Trp-channels including high throughput screening systems. Useful high throughput screening systems are well known to the person skilled in the art and include, e.g., the use of cell lines stably or transiently transfected with DNA sequences encoding Trp8, Trp9 and Trp10 channels in assays to detect calcium signaling in biological systems. Such systems include assays based on Ca-sensitive dyes such as aequorin, apoaequorin, Fura-2, Fluo-3 and Indo-1.

Accordingly, the present invention also relates to a method for identifying compounds which act as agonists or antagonists on the ion channels Trp8, Trp9 and/or Trp10, said method comprising contacting a test compound with the ion channel Trp8, Trp9 and/or Trp10, preferably by using a system based on cells stably or transiently transfected with DNA sequences encoding Trp8, Trp9 and/or Trp10, and determining whether said test compound affects the calcium uptake.

For administration the above described reagents are preferably combined with suitable pharmaceutical carriers. Examples of suitable pharmaceutical carriers are well known in the art and include phosphate buffered saline solutions, water, emulsions, such as oil/water emulsions, various types of wetting agents, sterile solutions etc. Such carriers can be formulated by conventional methods and can be administered to the subject at a suitable dose. Administration of the suitable compositions may be effected by different ways, e.g. by intravenous, intraperetoneal, subcutaneous, intramuscular, topical or intradermal administration. The route of administration, of course, depends on the nature of the tumor and the kind of compound contained in the pharmaceutical composition. The dosage regimen will be determined by the attending physician and other clinical factors. As is well known in the medical arts, dosages for any one patient depends on many factors, including the patient's size, body surface area, age, sex, the particular compound to be administered, time and route of administration, the kind and stage of the tumor, general health and other drugs being administered concurrently.

The delivery of the antisense RNAs or ribozymes of the invention can be achieved by direct application or, preferably, by using a recombinant expression vector such as a chimeric virus containing these compounds or a colloidal dispersion system. By delivering these nucleic acids to the desired target, the intracellular expression of Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and/or Trp10b and, thus, the level of Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and/or Trp10b can be decreased resulting in the inhibition of the negative effects of Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and/or Trp10b, e.g. as regards the metastasis formation of PCA.

Direct application to the target site can be performed, e.g., by ballistic delivery, as a colloidal dispersion system or by catheter to a site in artery. The colloidal dispersion systems which can be used for delivery of the above nucleic, acids include macromolecule complexes, nanocapsules, microspheres, beads and lipid-based systems including oil-in-water emulsions (mixed), micelles, liposomes and lipoplexes, The preferred colloidal system is a liposome. The composition of the liposome is usually a combination of phospholipids and steroids, especially cholesterol. The skilled person is in a position to select such liposomes which are suitable for the delivery of the desired nucleic acid molecule. Organ-specific or cell-specific liposomes can be used in order to achieve delivery only to the desired tumor. The targeting of liposomes can be carried out by the person skilled in the art by applying commonly known methods. This targeting includes passive targeting (utilizing the natural tendency of the liposomes to distribute to cells of the RES in organs which contain sinusoidal capillaries) or active targeting (for example by coupling the liposome to a specific ligand, e.g., an antibody, a receptor, sugar, glycolipid, protein etc., by well known methods). In the present invention monoclonal antibodies are preferably used to target liposomes to specific tumors via specific cell-surface ligands.

Preferred recombinant vectors useful for gene therapy are viral vectors, e.g. adenovirus, herpes virus, vaccinia, or, more preferably, an RNA virus such as a Retrovirus. Even more preferably, the retroviral vector is a derivative of a murine or avian retrovirus. Examples of such retroviral vectors which can be used in the present invention are: Moloney murine leukemia virus (MoMuLV), Harvey murine sarcoma virus (HaMuSV), murine mammary tumor virus (MuMTV) and Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). Most preferably, a non-human primate retroviral vector is employed, such as the gibbon ape leukemia virus (GaLV), providing a broader host range compared to murine vectors. Since recombinant retroviruses are defective, assistance is required in order to produce infectious particles. Such assistance can be provided, e.g., by using helper cell lines that contain plasmids encoding all of the structural genes of the retrovirus under the control of regulatory sequences within the LTR. Suitable helper cell lines are well known to those skilled in the art. Said vectors can additionally contain a gene encoding a selectable marker so that the transduced cells can be identified. Moreover, the retroviral vectors can be modified in such a way that they become target specific. This can be achieved, e.g., by inserting a polynucleotide encoding a sugar, a glycolipid, or a protein, preferably an antibody. Those skilled in the art know additional methods for generating target specific vectors. Further suitable vectors and methods for in vitro- or in vivo-gene therapy are described in the literature and are known to the persons skilled in the art; see, e.g., WO 94/29469 or WO 97/00957.

In order to achieve expression only in the target organ, i.e. tumor to be treated, the nucleic acids encoding, e.g. an antisense RNA or ribozyme can also be operably linked to a tissue specific promoter and used for gene therapy. Such promoters are well known to those skilled in the art (see e.g. Zimmermann et al., (1994) Neuron 12, 11–24; Vidal et al.; (1990) EMBO J. 9, 833–840; Mayford et al., (1995), Cell 81, 891–904; Pinkert et al., (1987) Genes & Dev. 1, 268–76).

For use in the diagnostic research discussed above, kits are also provided by the present invention. Such kits are useful for the detection of a target cellular component, which is Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and/or Trp10b or, alternatively, Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and/or Trp10b encoding mRNA or Trp10a/b antisense transcripts, wherein the presence or an increased concentration of Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and/or Trp10b or, alternatively, Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp10a and/or Trp10b encoding mRNA or Trp10a/b antisense transcripts is indicative for a prostate tumor, endometrial cancer, melanoma, chorion carcinoma or cancer of the lung, said kit comprising a probe for detection of Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp9, Trp10a and/or Trp10b or, alternatively, Trp8a, Trp8b, Trp9, Trp10a and/or Trp10b encoding mRNA or Trp10a/b antisense transcripts. The probe can be detectably labeled. Such probe may be a specific antibody or specific oligonucleotide. In a preferred embodiment, said kit contains an anti-Trp8a-, anti-Trp8b-, anti-Trp9-, anti-Trp10a- and/or anti-Trp10b-antibody and allows said diagnosis, e.g., by ELISA and contains the antibody bound to a solid support, for example, a polystyrene microtiter dish or nitrocellulose paper, using techniques known in the art. Alternatively, said kits are based on a RIA and contain said antibody marked with a radioactive isotope. In a preferred embodiment of the kit of the invention the antibody is labeled with enzymes, fluorescent compounds, luminescent compounds, ferromagnetic probes or radioactive compounds. The kit of the invention may comprise one or more containers filled with, for example, one or more probes of the invention. Associated with container (s) of the kit can be a notice in the form prescribed by a governmental agency regulating the manufacture, use or sale of pharmaceuticals or biological products, which notice reflects approval by the agency of manufacture, us or sale for human administration.

EXAMPLES

The following Examples are intended to illustrate, but not to limit the invention. While such Examples are typical of those that might be used, other methods known to those skilled in the art may alternatively be utilized.

Example 1

Materials and Methods

(A) Isolation of cDNA Clones and Northern Blot Analysis

Total RNA was isolated form human placenta and prostate using standard techniques. Isolation of mRNA was performed with poly (A)⁺RNA—spin columns (New England Biolabs, Beverly, USA) according to the instructions of the manufacturer. Poly (a) ⁺RNA was reverse transcribed using the cDNA choice system (Gibco-BRL, Rockville, USA) and subcloned in λ-Zap phages (Stratagene, La Jolla, USA). An human expressed sequence tag (GenBank accession number 1404042) was used to screen an oligo d(T) primed human placenta cDNA library. Several cDNA clones were identified and isolated. Additional cDNA clones were isolated from two specifically primed cDNA libraries primers (SEQ ID NOS: 31 AND 32) 5′-gca tag gaa ggg aca ggt gg-3′ and 5′-gag agt cga ggt cag tgg tcc-3′.

cDNA clones were sequenced using a thermocycler (PE Applied Biosystems, USA) and Thermo Sequenase (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech Europe, Freiburg, Germany). DNA sequences were analyzed with an automated sequencer (Licor, Linccoln, USA).

For Northern blot analysis 5 μg human poly (A)⁺RNA from human placenta or prostate were separated by electrophoresis on 0.8% agarose gels. Poly (A)⁺RNA was transferred to Hybond N nylon membranes (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech Europe, Freiburg, Germany). The membranes were hyridized in the presence of 50% formamide at 42° C. over night. DNA probes were labelled using [α³²P]dCTP and the “ready prime” labelling kit (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech Europe, Freiburg, Germany). Commercial Northern blots were hybridized according to the distributors instructions (Clontech, Paolo Alto, USA).

(B) Construction of Expression Plasmids and Transfection of HEK 293 Cells

Lipofections were carried out with the recombinant dicistronic eucaryotic expression plasmid pdiTRP8 containing the cDNA of Trp8b under the control of the chicken β-actin promotor followed by an internal ribosome entry side (IRES) and the cDNA of the green fluorescent protein (GFP). To obtain pdiTRP8 carrying the entire protein coding regions of TRP8b and the GFP (Prasher, D. C. et al. (1992), Gene 111, 229–233), the 5′ and 3′-untranslated sequences of the TRP8b cDNA were removed, the consensus sequence for initiation of translation in vertebrates (Kozak, M. (1987) Nucleic Acids Research15, 8125–8148) was introduced immediately 5′ of the translation initiation codon and the resulting cDNA was subcloned into the pCAGGS vector (Niwa, H., Yamamura, K. and Miyazaki, J (1991), Gene 8, 193–199) downstream of the chicken β-actin promotor. The IRES derived from encephalmyocarditis virus (Kim, D. G., Kang, H. M., Jang, S. K. and Shin H. S. (1992) Mol. Cell. Biol. 12, 3636–3643) followed by the GFP cDNA containing a Ser65Thr mutation (Heim, R., Cubitt, A. B., Tsien, R. Y. (1995) Nature 373, 663–664) was then cloned 3′ to the TRP8b cDNA. The IRES sequence allows the simultaneous translation of TRP8b and GFP from one transcript. Thus, transfected cells can be detected unequivocally by the development of green fluorescence.

For monitoring of the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells were cotransfected with the pcDNA3-TRP8b vector and the pcDNA3-GFPvector in a molar ratio of 4:1 in the presence of lipofectamine (Quiagen, Hilden, Germany). To obtain pcDNA3-TRP8b the entire protein coding region of TRP8b including the consensus sequence for initiation of translation in vertebrates (Kozak, M. (1987) Nucleic Acids Research15, 8125–8148) was subcloned into the pcDNA3 vector (Invitrogen, Groningen, Netherlands). Calcium monitoring and patch clamp experiments were carried out two days and one day after transfection, respectively.

(C) Chromosomal Localization of the Trp8 Gene

The chromosomal localization of the human TRP8 gene was performed using NIGMS somatic hybrid mapping panel No. 2 (Coriell Institute, Camden, N.J., USA) previously described (Drwinga, H. L., Toji, L. H., Kim, C. H., Greene, A. E., Mulivor, R. A. (1993) Genomics 16, 311–314; Dubois, B. L. and Naylor, S. L. (1993) Genomics 16, 315–319).

(D) In Vitro Translation, Glutathione—Sepharose and Calmodulin Agarose Binding Assay

N- and C-terminal Trp8-fragments were subcloned into the pGEX-4T2 vector (Amersham Pharmacia Europe, Freiburg, Germany) resulting in glutathione-S-transferase (GST)-Trp8 fusion constructs (FIG. 4). The GST-TRP8-fusion proteins were expressed in E. coli BL 21 cells and purified using glutathione—sepharose beads (Amersham Pharmacia Biotech Europe, Freiburg, Germany).

In vitro translation of human Trp8 cDNA and Xenopus laevis calmodulin cDNA (Davis, T. N. and Thorner, J. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86, 7909–7913.) was performed in the presence of ³⁵S-methionine using the TNT coupled transcription/translation kit (Promega, Madison, USA). Translation products were purified by gel filtration (Sephadex G50, Amersham Pharmacia Biotech Europe, Freiburg, Germany) and equal amounts of ³⁵S labeled probes were incubated for 2 h with glutathione beads bound to GST—Trp8 or calmodulin—agarose (Calbiochem) in 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 0.1% Triton X-100, 150 mM NaCl in the presence of 1 mM Ca²⁺ or 2 mM EGTA. After three washes, bound proteins were eluted with SDS sample buffer, fractionated by SDS-PAGE and ³⁵S labeled proteins were detected using a Phosphor Imager (Fujifilm, Tokyo, Japan).

(E) Calcium Measurements

The intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_(i)) was determined by dual wavelength fura-2 fluorescence ratio measurements (Tsien, R. Y. (1988) Trends Neurosci. 11, 419–424) using a digital imaging system (T.I.L.L. Photonics, Planegg, Germany). HEK cells were grown in minimal essential medium in the presence of 10% fetal calf serum and cotransfected with the pcDNA3-TRP8b vector and the pCDNA3-GFPvector as described above (B). Transfected cells were detected by development of green fluorescence. The cells were loaded with 4 μM fura-2/AM (Molecular Probes, Oreg., USA) for one hour. After loading the cells were rinsed 3 times with buffer B1 (10 mM Hepes, 115 mM NaCl, 2 mM MgCl₂, 5 mM KCl, pH 7.4) and the [Ca²⁺]_(i) was calculated from the fluorescence ratios obtained at 340 and 380 nm excitation wavelengths as described (Garcia, D. E., Cavalié, A. and Lux, H. D. (1994) J. Neurosci 14, 545–553).

(F) Electrophysiological Recordings

HEK cells were transfected with the eucaryotic expression plasmid pdiTRP8 described in (B) and electrophysiolocigal recordings were carried out one day after transfection. Single cells were voltage clamped in the whole cell mode of the patch clamp technique as described (Hamill, O. P., Marty, A., Neher, E., Sakmann, B. and Sigworth, F. J. (1981) Pflügers Arch. 391, 85–100; Philipp, S., Cavalié, A., Freichel, M., Wissenbach, U., Zimmer, S., Trost, C., Marquart, A., Murakami, M. and Flockerzi, V. (1996) EMBO J. 6166–6171). The pipette solution contained contained (mM): 140 aspartic acid, 10 EGTA, 10 NaCl, 1 MgCl2, 10 Hepes (pH 7.2 with CsOH) or 125 CsCl, 10 EGTA, 4 CaCl₂ 10 Hepes (pH 7, 2 with CsOH). The bath solution contained (mM): 100 NaCl, 10 CsCl, 2 MgCl₂, 50 mannitol, 10 glucose, 20 Hepes (pH 7, 4 with CsOH) and 2 CaCl₂, or no added CaCl₂ (—Ca²⁺ solution). Divalent free bath solution contained (mM): 110 N-methyl-D-glucamine (NMDG). Whole cell currents were recorded during 100 msec voltage ramps from −100 to +100 mV at varying holding potentials.

(G) In Situ Hybridization

In situ hybridizations were carried out using formalin fixed tissue slices of 6–8 μM thickness. The slices were hydrated and incubated in the presence of PBS buffer including 10 μg /ml proteinase K (Roche Diagnostics, Mannheim, Germany) for 0.5 h. The slices were hybridized at 37° C. using biotinylated deoxy-oligonucleotides (0.5 pmol/μl) in the presence of 33% formamide for 12 h. Furthermore the slices were several times rinsed with 2×SSC and incubated at 25° C. for 0.5 h with avidin/biotinylated horse raddish peroxidase complex (ABC, DAKO, Santa Barbara, USA). After several washes with PBS buffer the slices were incubated in the presence of biotinylated tyramid and peroxide (0.15% w/v) for 10 min, rinsed with PBS buffer and additionally incubated with ABC complex for 0.5 h. The slices were washed with PBS buffer and incubated in the presence of DAB solution (diaminobenzidine (50 μg/ml), 50 mM Tris/EDTA buffer pH 8.4, 0.15% H₂O₂ in N, N-dimethyl-formamide; Merck, Darmstadt, Germany), The detection was stopped after 4 minutes by incubating the slides in water. Tyramid was biotinylated by incubating NHS-LC Biotin (sulfosuccinimidyl-6-(biotinimid)-hexanoat), 2.5 mg/ml; Pierce, Rockford, USA) and tyramin-HCl (0.75 mg/ml, Sigma) in 25 mM borate buffer pH 8.5 for 12 h. The tyramid solution was diluted 1–5:1000 in PBS buffer.

(H) GenBank Accession Numbers: TRP8a, Aj243500; TRP8b Aj243501

Example 2

Expression of TRP8 Transcripts

In search of proteins distantly related to the TRP family of ion channels, an human expressed sequence tag (EST, GenBank accession number 1404042) was identified in the GenBank database using BLAST programms (at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI); Altschul, S. F., Gish, W., Miller, W., Myers, E. W. and Lipman, D. J. J. (1990) Mol. Biol. 5, 403–410) being slightly homologous to the VR1 gene. Several human placenta cDNA libraries were constructed and screeened with this EST DNA as probe. Several full length cDNA clones were identified and isolated. The full length cDNA clones encoded two putative proteins differing in three amino acids and were termed Trp8a and Trp8b (FIGS. 1 c, 2 a, 7 and 8A). This finding was reproduced by isolating cDNA clones from two cDNA libraries constructed from two individual placentas. The derived protein sequence(s) comprises six transmembrane domains, a characteristic overall feature of trp channels and related proteins (FIG. 1 b). The sequence is closely related to the meanwhile published calcium uptake transport protein 1 (CaT1), isolated from rat intestine (Peng, J. B., Chen, X. Z., Berger, U. V., Vassilev, P. M., Tsukaguchi, H., Brown, E. M. and Hediger M. A. (1999) J Biol Chem. 6; 274, 22739–22746) and to the epithelial calcium uptake channel (ECaC) isolated from rabbit kidney (Hoenderop, J. G., van der Kemp, A. W., Hartog, A., van de Graaf, S. F., van Os, C. H., Willems, P. H. and Bindels, R. J. (1999) J Biol Chem. 26; 274, 8375–8378). Expression of Trp8a/b transcripts are detectable in human placenta, pancreas and prostate (FIG. 5) and the size of the Northern signal (3.0 kb) corresponds with the size of the isolated full length cDNAs. In addition, a shorter transcript of 1.8 kb, probably a splice variant, is detectable in human testis. The Trp8 mRNA is not expressed in small intestine or colon (FIG. 5) implicating that Trp8 is not the human ortholog of the rat CaT1 or rabbit ECaC proteins. To investigate whether there are other related sequences Trp8a/b derived primers (SEQ ID NOS: 33 AND 34) (UW241, 5′-TAT GAG GGT TCA GAC TGC-3′ and UW242, 5′-CAA AGT AGA TGA GGT TGC-3′) were used to amplify a 105 bp fragment from human genomic DNA being 95% identical on the nucleotide level to the Trp8 sequence (data not shown). This indicates the existence of several similar sequences in humans at least at the genomic level.

Example 3

Two Variants of the Trp8 Protein (Trp8a and Trp8b) Arise by Polymorphism

Two variants of the Trp8 cDNA were isolated from human placenta (FIGS. 2A, 7 and 8A) which encoded two proteins which differ in three amino acids and were termed Trp8a and Trp8b. Trp8a/b specific primers were designed to amplify a DNA fragment of 458 bp of the Trp8 gene from genomic DNA isolated from human T-lymphocytes (primer pair (SEQ ID NOS: 35 AND 36): UW243, 5′-CAC CAT GTG CTG CAT CTA CC-3′ and UW244, 5′-CAA TGA CAG TCA CCA GCTCC-3′). The amplification product contains a part of the sequence where the derived protein sequence of Trp8a comprises the amino acid valine and the Trp8b sequence methionine as well as a silent base pair exchange (g versus a) and an intron of 303 bp (FIGS. 2A, B). Both variants of the Trp8 genes (a, b) were amplified from genomic DNA in equal amounts indicating the existence of both variants in the human genome and therefore being not the result of RNA editing (FIG. 2B). The Trp8a gene can be distinguished from the Trp8b gene by cutting the genomic fragment of 458 bp with the restriction enzyme Bsp1286I (FIG. 2B). Using human genomic DNA isolated from blood of twelve human subjects as template, the 458 bp fragment was amplified and restricted with BSP1286I. In eleven of the tested subjects only the Trp8b gene is detectable, while one subject (7) contains Trp8a and Trp8b genes (FIG. 2D). These implicates that the two Trp8 variants arise by polymorphism and do not represent individual genes. Using Trp8 specific primers and chromosomal DNA as template, the Trp8 locus is detectable on chromosome 7 (FIG. 2C).

Example 4

Trp8b is a Calcium Permeable Channel

The protein coding sequence of the Trp8b cDNA was subcloned into pcDNA3 vector (Invitrogen, Groningen, Netherlands) under the control of the cytomegalovirus promotor (CMV). Human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells were cotransfected with the Trp8b pcDNA3 construct (pcDNA3-Trp8b vector) and the pcDNA3-GFPvector encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP) in 4:1 ratio. The Trp8b cDNA and the cDNA of the reporter, GFP, was transiently expressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells. The intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_(i)) and changes of [Ca²⁺]_(i) were determined by dual wavelength fura-2 fluorescence ratio measurements (FIG. 3F) in cotransfected cells which were identified by the green fluorescence of the reporter gene GFP.

Dual wavelength fura-2 fluorescence ratio measurement is a standard procedure (e.g. in: An introduction of Molecular Neurobiology (ed. Hall, Z. W.) Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, USA (1992)) using fura-2, which is a fluorescent Ca₂₊ sensitive dye and which was designed by R. Y. Tsien (e.g. Trends Neurosci. 11, 419–424 (1988) based upon the structure of EGTA. Its fluorescence emission spectrum is altered by binding to Ca²⁺ in the physiological concentration range. In the absence of Ca²⁺, fura-2 fluoresces most strongly at an excitation wavelength of 385 nm; when it binds Ca²⁺, the most effective excitation wavelength shifts to 345 nm. This property is used to measure local Ca²⁺ concentrations within cells. Cells can be loaded with fura-2 esters (e.g. fura-2AM) that diffuse across cell membranes and are hydrolyzed to active fura-2 by cytosolic esterases.

In the presence of 1 mM Ca²⁺, Trp8 expressing cells typically contained more than 300 nM cytosolic Ca²⁺, while non transfected controls contained less than 100 nM Ca²⁺ ions (FIG. 3F).

When Trp8b transfected cells were incubated without extracellular Ca²⁺, the intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]_(i)) decreased to levels comparable to non transfected cells. Readdition of 1 mM Ca²⁺ to the bath resulted in significant increase of the cytosolic [Ca²⁺] in Trp8b transfected cells, but not in controls (FIG. 3F). After readdition of Ca²⁺ ions to the bath solution, the cytosolic Ca²⁺ concentration remains on a high steady state level in the Trp8b transfected cells.

Example 5

Trp8 Expressing Cells Show Calcium Selective Inward Currents

To characterize in detail the electrophysiological properties of TRP8, TRP8 and GFP were coexpressed in HEK293 cells using the dicistronic expression vector pdiTRP8 and measured currents using the patch clamp technique in the whole cell mode (Hamill, O. P., Marty, A., Neher, E., Sakmann, B. and Sigworth, F. J. (1981) Pflugers Arch., 391, 85–100).

The eucaryotic expression plasmid pdiTRP8 contains the cDNA of Trp8b under the control of the chicken β-actin promotor followed by an internal ribosome entry side (IRES) and the cDNA of the green fluorescent protein (GFP). To obtain pdiTRP8 carrying the entire protein coding regions of TRP8b and the GFP (Prasher, D. C. et al. (1992), Gene 111, 229–233), the 5′ and 3′-untranslated sequences of the TRP8b cDNA were removed, the consensus sequence for initiation of translation in vertebrates (Kozak, M. (1987) Nucleic Acids Research15, 8125–8148) was introduced immediately 5′ of the translation initiation codon and the resulting cDNA was subcloned into the pCAGGS vector (Niwa, H., Yamamura, K. and Miyazaki, J (1991), Gene 8, 193–199) downstream of the chicken β-actin promotor. The IRES derived from encephalmyocarditis virus (Kim, D. G., Kang, H. M., Jang, S. K. and Shin H. S. (1992) Mol. Cell. Biol. 12, 3636–3643) followed by the GFP cDNA containing a Ser65Thr mutation (Heim, R., Cubitt, A. B., Tsien, R. Y. (1995) Nature 373, 663–664) was then cloned 3′ to the TRP8b cDNA. The IRES sequence allows the simultaneous translation of TRP8b and GFP from one transcript. Thus, transfected cells can be detected unequivocally by the development of green fluorescence.

In the presence of 2 mM external calcium, Trp8b transfected HEK cells show inwardly rectifying currents, the size of which depends on the level of intracellular calcium and the electrochemical driving force. The resting membrane potential was held either at −40 mV, or, to lower the driving force for calcium influx in between pulses, at +70 mV. Current traces were recorded in response to voltage ramps from −100 to +100 mV, that were applied every second. To monitor inward and outward currents over time, we analyzed the current size at −80 and +80 mV of the ramps. FIG. 3A shows a representative trace of the current at −80 mV over time. Both at a holding potential of −40 mV or at +70 mV, the currents are significantly larger than in cells transfected with only the GFP containing vector (FIG. 3E). Interestingly, after changing to a positive holding potential, current size in Trp8 transfected cells slowly increases and reaches steady state after approximately 70 seconds (FIG. 3A). To determine the selectivity of the induced currents, we then perfused the cells with solutions that either contain no sodium, no added Ca²⁺ (FIGS. 3A, C) or a sodium containing, but divalent ion free bath solution. To control for the effect of the solution change alone, we also perfused with normal bath (see puff in FIG. 3A). While removal of external Ca²⁺ completely abolishes the trp 8 induced currents—the remaining current being identical in size and shape to the control (FIGS. 3A, C, E), removal of external sodium has no effect (FIG. 3E). An important hallmark of calcium selective channels (e.g. Vennekens, R., Hoenderop, G. J., Prenen, J., Stuiover, M., Willems, PHGM, Droogmans, G., Nilius, B. and Bindels, R. J. M (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 275, 3963–3969), is their ability to conduct sodium only if all external divalent ions, namely Ca²⁺ and magnesium are removed. To test whether the trp 8 channel conforms with this phenomenon normal bath solution was switched to a solution containing only sodium and 1 mM EGTA. As can be seen in FIGS. 3B and D, Trp8 transfected cells can now conduct very large sodium currents. Interestingly, immediately after the solution change, the currents first become smaller before increasing rapidly, indicating that the pore may initially still be blocked by calcium a phenomenon usually called anomalous mole fraction behaviour (Warnat, J., Philipp, S., Zimmer, S., .Flockerzi, V., and Cavalié A.(1999) J. Physiol. (Lond) 518, 631–638). The measured outward currents of Trp8 transfected cells in normal bath solution are not significantly different from non-transfected control cells or cells which only express the reporter gene GFP. As the removal of external Ca²⁺ abolishes the Trp8 specific current, the remaining current was subtracted from the current before the solution change to obtain the uncontaminated Trp8 conductance (see inset in FIG. 3C). As expected from the given ionic conditions (high EGTA inside, 2 mM Ca²⁺ outside), the current-voltage relationship now shows prominent inward rectification with little to no outward current.

Both the time course of the development of Trp8 currents and the size of the currents depend on the frequency of stimulation (data not shown), the internal and external Ca²⁺ concentration and the resting membrane potential, suggesting that Trp8 calcium conductance is intrically regulated by a Ca²⁺ mediated feedback mechanisms.

Example 6

Ca²⁺/Calmodulin Binds to the C-terminus of the Trp8 Protein

To test whether calmodulin, a prime mediator of calcium regulated feedback, is involved, first it was investigated biochemically whether Trp8 protein can bind calmodulin. Trp8 cDNA was in vitro translated in the presence of ³⁵S-methionine and the product incubated with calmodulin-agarose beads. After several washes either in the presence or abscence of Ca²⁺, the beads were incubated in Laemmli buffer and subjected to SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. In the presence of Ca²⁺ (1 mM), but not in the absence of Ca²⁺, Trp8 protein binds to calmodulin (FIG. 4B).

To narrow down the binding site, two approaches were undertaken: Firstly, GST-TRP8 fusion proteins of various intracellular domains of Trp8 were constructed, expressed in E. coli and bound to gluthathione sepharose beads. These beads were then incubated with in vitro translated ³⁵S-labeled calmodulin, washed and subjected to gel electrophoresis. Secondly, truncated versions of in vitro translated Trp8 protein were used in the above described binding to calmodulin-agarose. As shown in FIGS. 4A, and C, fusion proteins of the N-terminal region (N1, N2) of Trp8 did not bind calmodulin, while C-terminal fragments (C1, C2, C3, C4) showed calmodulin binding in the presence of calcium (for localization of fragments within the entire Trp8 protein see FIG. 4C). Accordingly, a truncated version of in vitro translated Trp8, which lacks the C-terminal 32 amino acid residues did not bind to calmodulin-agarose (4B). We have restricted the calmodulin binding site to amino acid residues 691 to 711 of the Trp8 protein. This calmodulin binding site does not resemble the typical conserved IQ—motif of conventional myosins, but has limited sequence homology to the calcium dependent calmodulin binding site 1 of the transient receptor potential like (trp1) protein of Drosophila melanogaster (Warr and Kelly, 1996) with several charged amino acid residues conserved. The sequence of the calmodulin binding site of the Trp8 protein resembles a putative amphipathic α-helical wheel structure with a charged and a hydrophobic site according to a model proposed by Erickson-Vitanen and De Grado (1987, Methods Enzymol. 139, 455–478.).

Example 7

Expression of Trp8 Transcripts in Human Placenta and Pancreas

Several slides from a human placenta of a ten week old abort were used for in situ hybridization experiments. The in situ hybridization experiments revealed expression of Trp8 transcripts in human placenta (FIG. 5B). Expression was detectable in trophoblasts and syncytiotrophoblasts of the placenta, but not in Langhans cells.

Trp8 transcripts are detectable in human pancreas (FIG. 5A). Therefore Trp8 probes were hybridized to tissue sections of human pancreas. The pancreatic tissues were removed from patients with pancreas cancer. Trp8 expression is detectable in pancreatic acinar cells, but not in Langerhans islets (FIG. 5C). No Trp8 expression was found in regions of pancreatic carcinomas (data not shown).

Furthermore, the Trp8 cDNA is not detectable in human colon nor in human kidney by in situ hybridization as well as by Northern analysis (FIGS. 5A, D). The Northern results taken together with the in situ expression data indicate that the Trp8 protein is not the human ortholog of the CaT1 and ECaC channels cloned from rat intestine (Peng, J. B., Chen, X. Z., Berger, U. V., Vassilev, P. M., Tsukaguchi, H., Brown, E. M. and Hediger M. A. (1999) J Biol Chem. 6; 274, 22739–22746) and from rabbit kidney (Hoenderop, J. G., van der Kemp, A. W., Hartog, A., van de Graaf, S. F., van Os, C. H., Willems, P. H. and Bindels, R. J. (1999) J Biol Chem. 26; 274, 8375–8378), respectively. Trp8 is unlikely to represent the human version of CaT1 as its expression is undetectable in the small intestine and colon tissues where CaT1 is abundantly expressed. If, however, Trp8 is the human version of rat CaT1, a second gene product appears to be required for Ca²⁺ uptake in human small intestine and colon attributed to CaT1 in rat small intestine and colon.

Example 8

Differential Expression of Trp8 Transcripts in Benign and Malign Tissue of the Prostate

The Trp8 transcripts are expressed in human prostate as shown by hybridization of a Trp8 probe to a commercial Northern blot (Clontech, Palo Alto, USA) (FIG. 5A). Trp8 transcripts were not detectable by Northern blot analysis using pooled mRNA of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) (FIG. 5A, prostate*). To examine Trp8 expression on the cellular level, sections of prostate tissues were hybridized using Trp8 specific cDNA probes (Table 3). Expression of Trp8 transcripts is not detectable in normal prostate (n=3), benign hyperplasia (BPH, n=15) or prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN, n=9) (FIGS. 6A, C, E). Trp8 transcripts were only detectable in prostate carcinoma (PCA), although with different expression levels. Low expression levels were found in primary carcinomas (2–10% of the carcinoma cells, n=8) (FIG. 7B). Much stronger expression was detectable in rezidive carcinoma (10–60%) (FIG. 7D, n=6) and metastases of the prostate (60–90%, n=4) (FIG. 7F). Thus it has to be concluded that the commercial Northern blot used in FIG. 5A contains not only normal prostate mRNA as indicated by the distributor. According to the distributors instructions the prostate mRNA used for this Northern blot was collected from 15 human subjects in the range of 14 to 60 years of age. This prostate tissue was not examined by pathologic means. Since Trp8 expression is not detectable in normal or benign prostate, this finding implicates that the mRNA used for this Northern blot was extracted in part from prostatic carcinoma tissue. To summarize, Trp8 expression is only detectable in malign prostate and, thus, the Trp8 cDNA is a marker for prostate carcinoma. The results are summarized in Table 4.

TABLE 3 Trp8 probes used for in situ hybridization: Probes (antisense) 1.) 5′ TCCGCTGCCGGTTGAGATCTTGCC 3′ 2.) 5′ CTTGCTCCATAGGCAGAGAATTAG 3′ 3.) 5′ ATCCTCAGAGCCCCGGGTGTGGAA 3′ Controls (sense) 1.) 5′ GGCAAGATCTCAACCGGCAGCGGA 3′ 2.) 5′ CTAATTCTCTGCCTATGGAGCAAG 3′ 3.) 5′ TTCCACACCCGGGGCTCTGAGGAT 3′

TABLE 4 Prostate total negative positive normal 3 3 0 BPH 15 15 0 PIN 9 9 0 carcinoma 18 1 17

(B) Differential Expression of Trp8 Transcripts in Benign and Malign Tissue of the Uterus

Moreover it could be shown that Trp8 is expresed in endometrial cancer (also called cancer of the uterus, to be distinguished from uterine sarcoma or cancer of the cervix) whereas no expression was observed in normal uterus tissue. Thus, Trp8 also is a specific marker for the diagnosis of the above cancer (FIG. 12).

Example 9

Characterization of Trp9

The complete protein coding sequence of Trp9 was determined (FIG. 9). Trp 9 transcripts are predominantly expressed in the human prostate and in human colon. As it could be shown by Northern blot analysis, there is no difference of the expression of TRP9 in benigne prostata hyperplasia (BPH, FIG. 13, upper panel left) or prostate carcinoma (FIG. 13, upper panel right). However, Trp9 is useful as a reference marker for prostata carcinoma, i.e. can be used for quantifying the expression level of Trp8. The ratio of the expression of Trp8:Trp9 in patients and healthy individuals is useful for the development of a quantitative assay.

Example 10

Characterization of Trp10

The complete protein coding sequence of TRP10 (a and b) was determined by biocomputing (FIGS. 10 and 11). Using a 235 bp fragment of the Trp10 cDNA as probe in Northern blot analysis TRP10 transcripts could only be detected in mRNA isolated from individuals with prostate cancer (FIG. 13, bottom panel) but not in mRNA isolated from benign tissue of the prostate (prostate BPH) nor in mRNA isolated from heart, brain, placenta, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, kidney and pancreas. The 235 bp cDNA fragment of the Trp10 cDNA was amplified using the primer pair (SEQ ID NOS: 43 AND 44) UW248 5′-ACA GCT GCT GGT CTA TTC C-3′ and UW249 5′-TAT GTG CCT TGG TTT GTA CC-3′ and prostate cDNA as template. In summary, Trp10a and Trp10b, like TRP8 are also expressed in malignant prostate tissue. So far, its expression could not be observed in any other tissue examined (see above). Thus, Trp 10a and Trp10b are also useful markers which are specific for malignant prostate tissue.

Furthermore, database searches in public databases of the national center for biological information (NCBI) revealed the existence of several expressed sequence tags (EST clones) being in part identical to the Trp10 sequence. These EST clones were originally isolated from cancer tissues of lung, placenta, prostate and from melanoma. These clones include the clones with the following accession numbers: BE274448, BE408880, BE207083, BE791173, AI671853, BE390627. The results demonstrate that cancer cells of these tissues express Trp10 related transcripts whereas no expression of Trp10 transcripts in the corresponding healthy tissues are detectable (FIG. 13). Furthermore, it could be shown that in cancer cells of melanoma and prostate cancer Trp10 transcripts are expressed as shown by in situ hybridizations using 4 antisense probes (FIGS. 14A–E and 13K–O and Table 2, above). Furthermore, it could clearly be shown that cancer cells of these tissues expressing Trp10 transcripts also express Trp10-antisense transcripts as shown in FIGS. 14F–J, FIGS. 14P–R and FIG. 14T by in situ hybridizations using 4 sense probes (Table 2, above). The in situ hybridization experiments demonstrate that detection of a subset of cancer cells derived from carcinoma of lung, placenta, prostate and melanoma is feasible using antisense as well as sense probes complementary to Ttp10 transcripts or complementary to Trp10-antisense transcripts, respectively.

The foregoing is meant to illustrate but not to limit the scope of the invention. The person skilled in the art can readily envision and produce further embodiment, based on the above teachings, without undue experimentation. 

1. A method for diagnosing a prostate carcinoma which comprises: (i) contacting a target sample with a reagent which reacts with Trp8a and/or Trp8b; and detecting Trp8a and/or Trp8b, wherein an increased concentration of Trp8a and/or Trp8b relative to a normal tissue control is indicative of prostate carcinoma.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the reagent is a nucleic acid.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the reagent is an antibody.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the reagent is detectably labeled.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the label is selected from the group consisting of a radioisotope, a bioluminescent compound, a chemiluminescent compound, a fluorescent compound, a metal chelate, or an enzyme.
 6. A method for diagnosing an endometrial cancer (carcinoma of the uterus) which comprises (i) contacting a target sample with a reagent which reacts with Trp8a and/or Trp8b; and detecting Trp8a and/or Trp8b, wherein an increased concentration of Trp8a and/or Trp8b relative to a normal tissue control is indicative of endometrial cancer.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the reagent is a nucleic acid.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the reagent is an antibody.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein the reagent is detectably labeled.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the label is selected from the group consisting of a radioisotope, a bioluminescent compound, a chemiluminescent compound, a fluorescent compound, a metal chelate, and an enzyme. 